Is Psychology A Science Flashcards
(13 cards)
To be a science it needs to achieve the following
Objectivity
Replicability
Falsifiability
Theory construction
Hypothesis tested
Paradigms and paradigm shifts
Arguments for psychology being a science
Theories are based on observable evidence
This observable evidence sometimes produces unexpected results showing it is not just ‘common sense’
Arguably gone through paradigm shift
Theories developed have lead to treatments for abnormal behaviours which has greatly helped
Arguments against psychology being a science
Methods in psychology are prone to bias- demand characteristics
It. At not be possible to form universal laws in psychology as reasearch is drawn from a sample that might not apply to everyone
Some psychological explanations are not directly testable (psychodynamic approach) so can’t be objectively measured
Studying people in society is hard to measure consistently
There are number of competiting theories
What is objectivity
Means not letting personal bias affect the results of the study
What is the most objective type of experiment
Lab
As all variables are closely controlled
What does falsifiable mean
Possible to be proven wrong
Example of falsifiability
Popper
Swans
In theory that all swans are white - can’t prove by just observing white swans
Might be black swan just not observed
So have to look for a black swan
Difficult to do with memory studies
What is theory construction
A theory is a set of general laws that explains particular event or behaviour
Occurs when gathering evidence by direct observation
The theory of construction forms a basis of a hypothesis
A testable prediction of what they think will happen in research
Once study is carried out the hypothesis can be accepted or rejected
Froyd hard to test hypothesis
What is a paradigms
Is a particular set of assumptions related to subject (of science)
What does Kuhn
That psychology is not a science as it has many competing assumptions (because it is a young science)
What is a paradigm shift
When a new way of thinking takes over
Like Einstein theory of relativity
Has psychology gone through a paradigm shift
Yes Wundt’s structuralism to behaviourism
